Business coaching is a professional partnership between a qualified coach and an individual or team that aims to enhance business performance and personal development. A business coach works with clients to clarify goals, identify obstacles, and develop strategies to achieve desired outcomes. This process involves guidance, support, and accountability to help business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives improve their leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and overall business acumen. Unlike consulting, which often provides direct solutions, coaching empowers clients to discover their own answers and implement tailored strategies for long-term success.

Every high performer, whether in sports, entertainment or business, knows the value of surrounding themselves with experienced coaches and advisors. It should be no different for small business owners.

Having a business coach can help you to develop your own winning game plan.

Running your own business can become all-consuming of your time and energy, and it becomes hard to step back and take an objective look at how your business is really doing. A business coach can help with that by making you focus on your business and holding you accountable to do the things you should do to get your business to where you want it to be. They can offer insight into your marketing, your sales, your team and every other aspect of your business. It’s like having a partner, confidante, mentor and sounding board; all rolled into one!

At ActionCOACH Bury St Edmunds, one-to-one coaching is our flagship coaching programme. It involves weekly or fortnightly coaching sessions where we work directly with you on your marketing and sales strategies and to develop business systems that will allow you to work less but achieve more. We touch all areas of your business over, typically, a 3 - 5 year period as we work towards getting your business into a sustainable, profitable state. After that, we begin to focus on true wealth creation, all with your personal goals in mind.

Group coaching is exactly what it says, a group of business owners learning together and sharing experiences and knowledge.

At ActionCOACH, we offer several such programmes. Which one suits you best will depend on where your business is on its growth journey. Sessions are generally held fortnightly and provide an excellent opportunity for business owners to share their challenges with like-minded business owners. From a coaching perspective, participants also benefit from having access to a coach who will be with them as their ideas take shape and has the experience to offer little pointers to make sure things happen as you plan. A business coach is there when you need someone to talk to, to discuss potential roadblocks and offer a fresh perspective when you are just not sure what to do next.

Yes, we offer executive coaching to executives and professionals across Suffolk and Norfolk who are already at the top of their game – and only want to get better. Tracking results in key performance areas, we can accelerate your success while helping you devise business strategies, explore your own strengths, apply your own ideas and ultimately leverage your unique contributions to your company’s bottom line.

We typically work over a 3 - 5 year period. Long-term success isn’t about your coach just offering suggestions or doing the work for you, it’s more about working alongside you and creating success together. In fact, they may even turn out to be your most profitable team member, one you’ll want to keep around as you continue gaining the confidence and skills to turn your goals into reality.

Yes, your business is unique, and you have your own set of skills and expertise. But the fundamentals of doing business remain the same, regardless of industry. Your business coach will have expertise in sales, marketing, business development, business management, team building and proven profit-building strategies. And if you do have a problem they may not have encountered before, they can always reach out to the broader coaching community for suggestions. Yes, it is your business but tapping into a network of collective knowledge may encourage you to think innovatively, giving you the edge over your competitors.

The ultimate goal of business coaching is to no longer have you working IN the business, but rather ON it, which means more time for you to spend doing what you enjoy most while the business continues to provide for you. Yes, initially, you will need to find a few extra hours in the week to get the process going but further into the coaching journey, you will find this no longer necessary. You will be working more efficiently with greater focus, and the systems you start to put in place will make your company more productive and profitable - with less day-to-day involvement from you.

Any good business and executive coach will keep you accountable and responsible for your action plans. They should answer questions and challenges and offer the most appropriate and current approach to managing your business.

As a coach, I believe in a no-nonsense approach that keeps you focused on your goals and ambitions while encouraging you to find the answers yourself. I am enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge to support business owners on their own growth journeys and passionate about developing leaders and high-performing teams that deliver success.

One thing I won’t do, however, is the work for you. It’s up to you and your team to score the goals!

A comprehensive business coaching programme should touch on every area of your business. Where it places the emphasis will depend on you, your business and your goals.

Key areas to look at include leadership coaching, sales and finance, marketing, smart KPIs, team building and recruitment, systems and business development and consistency in customer service.

Certainly. Training your team is almost as important as coaching you, the business owner. Growing your team alongside your business will only increase your likelihood of success. Invest in your team, and they will invest in your business with their passion and commitment, making you achieve your goals quicker than you otherwise would.

Absolutely. We offer our 1-1 clients in Suffolk and Norfolk the option of face to face or online sessions, or a hybrid of the two. Our group coaching programmes are predominately online.

Yes. We take client confidentiality seriously. Your coaching journey will only be successful if it provides a safe and trusted environment where you can openly discuss your business challenges and goals.

Our business coaching programmes range from £95 pm to over £2 000 pm. However, while the upfront cost of a business coach might seem like a significant investment, it's essential to consider the long-term value. Many business owners have experienced substantial ROI after engaging with a coach. The key is to view coaching not as a cost but as an investment in your business's future. The right coach can help streamline processes, increase productivity, and ultimately, drive revenue growth.

To choose the right business coach:

- Verify their experience and credentials
- Ensure their expertise aligns with your goals
- Check their track record and client testimonials
- Have an initial consultation to assess compatibility
- Consider their coaching methodology and availability
- Evaluate their fee structure and contract terms

Ultimately, select a coach who challenges you, understands your business needs, and with whom you can build a productive relationship.